Rey Mysterio Declares for 2025 Men’s Royal Rumble
Friday’s WWE SmackDown show at the Pechanga Arena in San Diego, California featured Rey Mysterio officially declaring himself for the Men’s Royal Rumble match at this year’s Royal Rumble event.
During the show, Mysterio came out to the ring and gave a warm welcome to his hometown crowd and talked about the Royal Rumble and outlasting everyone in 2006 to win it that year. After some more words, Mysterio stated that it will be tough but when he won in 2006, he did it for a friend that we all know very well.
We can’t wait! @reymysterio will be competing in #RoyalRumble!! 👏 #SmackDown pic.twitter.com/kZXChh8OId
— WWE (@WWE) January 18, 2025
This led to the crowd chanting “Eddie” but before Mysterio could say anything else, Kevin Owens’ music interrupted and he came out to the ring holding the Winged Eagle WWE Championship. Owens talked about how a singles match against Mysterio is a dream match for him. Owens then stated that when Mysterio wins this year’s Men’s Royal Rumble, he would like it if Mysterio picked him to be the champion to face off against at WrestleMania 41. This led to Mysterio responding back stating that Owens isn’t even a real champion but when Owens wins the Undisputed WWE title and he wins the Rumble, then he will accept that offer. This led to Owens going on an angry ranted that ended with Mysterio interrupting him and the two brawling that led to Owens escaping out of the ring before Mysterio could hit a 619 to him.
Mysterio joins Seth Rollins, Drew McIntyre, Roman Reigns, Jey Uso, CM Punk, John Cena, and LA Knight as those who have officially declared for this year’s Men’s Royal Rumble match at Royal Rumble 2025.
Meta-Four vs. Naomi & Bianca Belair for WWE Women’s Tag Titles Announced for NXT Show
Friday’s WWE SmackDown show also featured one new match announced for the card of WWE’s NXT show on January 28th at the Center Stage in Atlanta, Georgia.
This new match announced was a WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship match of Meta-Four (Jakara Jackson & Lash Legend) vs. Naomi & Bianca Belair (c).
This match was initially setup following Meta-Four defeating Unholy Union (Alba Fyre & Isla Dawn) in a #1 Contender’s match at this past Tuesday’s NXT show.
🚨🚨🚨 @BiancaBelairWWE & Naomi will defend the WWE Women’s Tag Team Titles against @lashlegendwwe and @JakaraWWE on January 28th on #WWENXT!
— WWE NXT (@WWENXT) January 18, 2025
📍ATLANTA
🎟️ https://t.co/w59uIAbTrP pic.twitter.com/aWobrYNhVg
Current card for January 28th WWE NXT show:
- NXT Women’s North American Championship – Shotzi vs. Fallon Henley (c)
- WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship – Meta-Four (Jakara Jackson & Lash Legend) vs. Naomi & Bianca Belair (c)
Victoria Makes Surprise Crowd Appearance on Friday’s WWE SmackDown Show
Friday’s WWE SmackDown show also featured former WWE wrestler Victoria making a surprise appearance.
Prior to the start of the Rey Mysterio vs. Kevin Owens match, Victoria was shown in the crowd while Mysterio was making his entrance to the ring.
Victoria on WWE TV! #SmackDown pic.twitter.com/rOwBOORu3J
— Fightful Wrestling (@Fightful) January 18, 2025
Shawn Michaels Appearance and Braun Strowman vs. Jacob Fatu Announced for Jan. 25th Saturday Night’s Main Event Show
Friday’s WWE SmackDown show also featured one new match and one new segment for the card of WWE’s Saturday Night’s Main Event show on January 25th at the Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas.
In regards to the new match, this was announced to be a singles match of Braun Strowman vs. Jacob Fatu.
This match was setup following The Bloodline interfering in the Jimmy Uso vs. Carmelo Hayes match and laying out both guys. Fatu then grabbed a microphone after Solo Sikoa attempted to give a promo only to drop the microphone and leave through the crowd over the crowd’s booing of him. After some words of warning by Fatu towards the crowd and everyone else, LA Knight ran out and engaged in a brawl that led to The Bloodline getting the upper hand. This led to Strowman’s music playing and him running out to join in on the brawl and engaged in a staredown with Fatu. Later in the show, this match was made official for next week’s Saturday Night’s Main Event show.
Are you interested in Braun Strowman vs Jacob Fatu?#SmackDown pic.twitter.com/60AZTk2Vjm
— Fightful Wrestling (@Fightful) January 18, 2025
Braun Strowman vs Jacob Fatu at WWE Saturday Night's Main Event!
— Fightful Wrestling (@Fightful) January 18, 2025
Hell yeah.#SmackDown pic.twitter.com/OecS0DKFXg
In regards to the new segment, this was announced to be an Undisputed WWE Championship Ladder match contract signing segment featuring Kevin Owens and Cody Rhodes with Shawn Michaels as the special guest moderator.
This segment was setup following SmackDown GM Nick Aldis’ failed attempts at trying to get Rhodes and Owens to sign an amendment for their Ladder match at next month’s Royal Rumble 2025 event. Following Owens and Rhodes brawling after Owens attempted to hit a Package Piledriver to Rey Mysterio, an angry Aldis informed Rhodes backstage that he had enough of Owens and Rhodes antics and them not listening to him. Aldis stated that they will be appearing at Saturday Night’s Main Event and will hand over their WWE and Winged Eagle titles to him and sign the amended contract for their match at the Royal Rumble. Aldis also stated that WWE Hall of Famer Shawn Michaels will be the guest moderator for it.
NEXT WEEK 🚨@ShawnMichaels will be moderating @CodyRhodes and @FightOwensFight's contract signing at #SNME! 🙌#SmackDown pic.twitter.com/W4QUTFUpVW
— WWE (@WWE) January 18, 2025
Current card for January 25th WWE Saturday Night’s Main Event show:
- WWE World Heavyweight Championship – Jey Uso vs. Gunther (c)
- WWE Intercontinental Championship – Sheamus vs. Bron Breakker (c)
- Braun Strowman vs. Jacob Fatu
- Undisputed WWE Championship Ladder match contract signing segment with Kevin Owens & Cody Rhodes and special guest moderator Shawn Michaels
Roxanne Perez Makes Surprise Crowd Appearance on Friday’s WWE SmackDown Show
Friday’s WWE SmackDown show also featured NXT talent Roxanne Perez making a surprise appearance.
Prior to the start of the WWE Women’s Championship match, Perez was shown in the crowd while Bayley was making her entrance to the ring.
Roxanne Perez is at ringside!
— Fightful Wrestling (@Fightful) January 18, 2025
The lower third doesn't have the NXT logo on it as well.#SmackDown pic.twitter.com/ZlsPz95V2R
Charlotte Flair WWE Return Teaser Vignette Airs on Friday’s WWE SmackDown Show
Friday’s WWE SmackDown show also featured WWE airing a video teasing Charlotte Flair’s upcoming return from injury.
👀👀👀@MsCharlotteWWE #SmackDown pic.twitter.com/Iuvu88NlP7
— WWE (@WWE) January 18, 2025
This was Flair’s first appearance in WWE December of 2023 due to a torn ACL, torn meniscus, and torn MCL injuries and surgery.